Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has apologised to Arsenal attacking midfielder Eberechi Eze for underrating the former Crystal Palace star.
Carragher said he is now convinced that Eze is the player who can fire the Gunners to their first Premier League title in 22 years.
The former Liverpool defender changed his mind about the player after Eze’s hat-trick in Sunday’s 4-1 win over Tottenham.
Eze was on his way to Tottenham Hotspur last summer before Arsenal hijacked the deal and brought the England international back to his boyhood club.
Eze has earned playing time at the Emirates Stadium following Martin Ødegaard’s injury, and the England international is repaying Arteta’s faith in him with outstanding performances.
Carragher said that he initially felt Eze was destined to play a supporting role behind Ødegaard but has now changed that perspective following the player’s Sunday man-of-the-match performance.
“When Eze came in, I thought, okay, maybe it’s not a game changer,” he said on Sky Sports.
“There were still a few great goals in there, and then he goes and scores a hat-trick. So, apologies.
“I certainly undervalued the importance of that signing because he looks like he could make the real difference for Arsenal this season and help them go on to win the title.
“And apart from the skill, he’s scoring the goals and making an overall contribution to the game.”